#findwhatmovesyou

[dzdjewelry]

🔥Set Your Soul On Fire🔥Find What Moves You! Be Distracted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #setyoursoulonfire #findwhatmovesyou #dowhatyoulove #dowhatmakesyouhappy #findyourpurpose #nocomparisons #bedistracted #dzdjewelry (at Evanston, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvfApz0HXP8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hre1egprt7ff

[tjcengiz-blog]

Soaking up every bit of sun I can get! (Before it’ll be too hot & waddle season begins) We’ve been a bit deprived, not quite sure if I miss the snow yet!#27weeksandcounting #prenatalyoga #findwhatfeelsgood #findwhatmovesyou #dowhatyoulove #keepitsimple #moveyourbody #mtsm #selflove #selfcare #movementismedicine (at Urla, Izmir)

[fsucampusrec]

Beating Stress With Exercise

[By: Natalie S.]

Exercise is usually my last concern during a stressful week. You know, those weeks when your dishwasher breaks down, you get hot sauce on your favorite pants, and your professor suddenly hits you with a dump truck of assignments. Yeah, those weeks are rough.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, my natural reaction is to hole up in my apartment and tackle my problems head-on. I don’t want to think about anything else until I’m completely finished working—or removing the hot sauce stain from my pants. However, I’ve come to learn that being stagnant and isolating myself may induce even more anxiety when I’m stressed.

Taking short breaks to move your body during a busy day has actually been proven to help manage stress. But how does this work exactly? Here are a few explanations (backed up by ~science~) that clarify why exercise is one of the most effective stress busters.

Boosts Your Mood

In 2001, Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods unleashed the iconic statement, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!” You know the rest. To get more technical, endorphins are the neurotransmitters in your brain that act as natural pain-killers. When you engage in physical activity, your body produces more endorphins, giving you the sensation commonly referred to as “runner’s high.” During times of stress, exercise can provide a natural mood booster to help improve your mindset.

Provides a Distraction

It’s typical to feel the physical effects of your movements when working out, but exercise also alters the chemicals in your brain by reducing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This reaction allows you to focus on your body’s movements and can naturally distract you from any daily tensions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “When stress affects the brain, with its many nerve connections, the rest of the body feels the impact as well.” Exercise can help counter this bodily response.

Increases Alertness

We all know that stress brings a sense of anxiety or uneasiness, but it can also hinder your ability to concentrate. Sometimes, getting your mind off of the source of your stress can help you refocus and return to the project or assignment rejuvenated. Even with light exercise, your heart will learn to work more efficiently and send more oxygen to your brain, increasing energy levels and alertness.

While any workout can improve your mood, a few exercises that take less than an hour and significantly relieve stress include:

Yoga

Pilates

Kickboxing

Running

If you’ve never tried yoga, pilates, or kickboxing before, I recommend taking a Group Fitness class on campus to reap the benefits of these amazing workouts.

As the semester comes to a chaotic close, don’t forget that taking study breaks to move your body can make an important difference in your mindset and quality of work. Stress is a natural part of being human, but knowing how to manage that tension will bring even more success into your life.

[fsucampusrec]

The Power of Breathing

[By: Hannah K.]

How many times has someone suggested taking a deep breath as a solution to one of your problems? It turns out there is scientific proof that this tactic can drastically improve your health. Practicing mindfulness while breathing has a big impact on the way you sleep, exercise and relax. Actively working on your breathing may feel unnatural at first but as soon as you try it, you will understand just how much of an impact it can make.

Breathing is directly connected to your heart rate so when you get stressed it takes a physical toll on your heart. Stress comes in many different forms but physiologically speaking, anxiety can lead to hyperventilation which can make those stressful moments last longer than they should. Before you get to that point, collect your thoughts and recognize that you have the power to change the way you are feeling. Deep breathing will calm you down and lower your heart rate in moments, the key is simply remembering to do it.

Not only can breathing calm you down in times of stress, but it can keep you focused and improve your workout too. It is more common than people realize to fall into bad breathing habits while working out. For example: breathing with your chest- incorporating muscles like your neck rather than your diaphragm- is a big no no. Instead, focus on breathing deeply- it should feel like you are breathing from your stomach. This will help avoid making other common mistakes like resorting to quick shallow breaths instead of lengthy, full ones. If your breaths are brief and quick you are causing your body to struggle more with less oxygen. Use your brain power to control your breaths and ensure proper depth. This way, you will be more likely to stay on track with your breathing pattern as well. It’s important to get into some sort of rhythm otherwise you’ll have trouble staying in the zone.

So remember, you want to avoid:

Chest breathing

Shallow breathing

Irregular breathing

Instead, you should aim for:

Deep breathing

Diaphragm breathing

Rhythmic breathing

With these techniques in mind, your workouts will last longer and your endurance will improve every time you exercise. Otherwise, you are straining parts of your body that you shouldn't be and ultimately weakening your breathing capabilities.

Since breathing comes as second nature to us we forget to focus on the techniques we are using for this simple yet essential part of life. Stop underestimating the impact breathing can make. Whether you are working out or freaking out, you can count on breathing to improve the situation.

Hannah Kealy is a senior at Florida State University majoring in Editing, Writing and Media. She is the Student Director of Marketing for Campus Recreation.

[tjcengiz-blog]

Getting showered with lego love 💕 found myself some playtime the other day, trying to keep up regularly with core activating thangs. Thankful I have the best partner to motivate me daily, even when I feel like I just can't. Last pregnancy I worked as a CNA until a week before my due date, and exercising outside of work was out of the picture. Weekly chiro adjustments + massage was not providing any relief. Flash forward, now I'm getting 2 adjustments per month (only go for the free massage!) and don't feel lingering/stagnant pain overall 🙌🏼 Once we learn the hard way how important exercise is, it's time to keep up the momentum ✅ #dontstopnow #findwhatfeelsgood #moveyourbody #selfcarematters #findwhatmovesyou #dailypractice #mtsm #prenatalcare (at The Alaska Club)

[fsucampusrec]

Guide to Gratitude Journaling

[By: Natalie S.]

The first time I heard about gratitude journaling I thought, isn’t that only for mindful yogis who shop at Whole Foods? While I would love if I were that kind of person, I’ve never made it a habit to regularly sit and down and record what I’m grateful for, though I often think about everything I appreciate around me and in my life. Through several weeks of gratitude journaling, I’ve slowly learned how calming it is to spend a few minutes in the evenings writing down what made me happy, what I was thankful for, or what made me proud that day.

My experience with gratitude journaling began with a huge assumption, but I want others to go in with an open mind and understand that there is no right or wrong way to start your own gratitude journal. Here’s what I’ve learned since beginning mine.

Consistency is key

One of the most difficult parts of gratitude journaling for me at first was establishing a consistent routine. I went through periods where I would journal in the morning for three days straight, then forget for a day or two, and then switch to journaling anytime I had a free moment. I eventually found success writing in the evenings after I had finished my work for the day and could set aside a few minutes of downtime. Whether it’s with your morning brew, mid-day, or before bed, I recommend sticking to one time of day for gratitude journaling.

Less is more

Prior to my experience with gratitude journaling, I had the impression that it would be most effective to write every single day. In reality, it’s more beneficial to journal just a few times a week, according to UC Berkeley. By writing less often, you prevent yourself from simply going through the motions and can fully immerse yourself in a mindset of gratitude. Busy college students like myself will also find that journaling less frequently is much more practical and makes the process feel more rewarding.

Depth over breadth

The format of each journal entry is entirely up to you, but it’s best to expand on just a few ideas instead of writing a lengthy list of anything you feel remotely thankful for. You’ll feel more satisfied with gratitude journaling when you narrow the scope of your entries and elaborate on fewer topics. I usually feel fulfilled going into detail on 3-4 moments of gratitude I’ve recently experienced.

Just do it

Nike knows best. Whether you choose to put pen to paper or simply record your thoughts in a note on your phone, the most important step is the first. A gratitude journal can begin by being more mindful of your appreciation for the simple things. Make a mental note whenever you find yourself feeling particularly appreciative and plan to expand on that moment later when you sit down to journal. It’s important to experiment with the style, frequency, and timing of your journaling, but it’s best to just start somewhere without getting caught up in the details.

After spending the last few weeks practicing gratitude journaling, I definitely plan to keep up with this ritual. Aside from making a conscious effort to reflect on the pleasant moments, I’ve also found that I now have a completely different perspective on stressful or frustrating situations. Any difficulties I experience now—no matter how trivial—are much easier to manage through a lens of gratitude.

Natalie is a senior majoring in Advertising and Editing, Writing and Media. She is currently a Social Media and Outreach Assistant for FSU Campus Rec.

[fsucampusrec]

Make Yourself a Priority

[By: Natalie S.]

Love yourself. Respect yourself. Admire yourself.

Statements encouraging self acceptance are scattered across social media, but their meanings quickly become ambiguous without a definitive plan. Sure, I can say I’m going to “love myself” today, but how am I putting those words into action? Knowing how to prioritize yourself can help you practice these sometimes empty affirmations.

Here are 3 ways to make sure you’re putting yourself first to maintain a happier and more productive mindset.

Do more of what you love

Self care begins with recognizing exactly what brings you happiness and setting aside time for that activity. Work on a creative project you’ve been putting off. Catch up on the newest season of your favorite show. Treat yourself to a nice meal. You’ll feel recharged once you spend a few hours focusing on nothing but your own well-being.

Learn to say no

There’s something SO empowering about saying no. Of course, you should always decline an invitation or request politely, but prioritizing yourself means knowing when to make decisions that benefit you, without feeling guilty. You don’t have to do everything, and you shouldn’t. It’s okay to be selfish and consider your own feelings before others’ when asked to do something.

Embrace your emotions

Suppressing how you feel can only undermine your happiness. Prioritize your emotions with frequent sessions of self-reflection, and express your honest feelings out loud or in a journal. In a digital world overflowing with uplifting Pinterest quotes, it’s okay to acknowledge the bad days too.

Finding balance may not always be easy, but making time to prioritize yourself will encourage greater satisfaction and positivity. Figure out how to implement each strategy in your own life and hold yourself accountable to your plan. Love yourself, but do it with a specific intention.

Natalie is a senior majoring in Advertising and Editing, Writing and Media. She is currently a Social Media and Outreach Assistant for FSU Campus Rec.

[fsucampusrec]

Gratitude Beyond

[By: Natalie S.]

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite time of year. As a foodie, I don’t think there’s a holiday more exciting than one that’s completely centered around a delicious meal. Aside from the turkey and mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving is great because it reminds us to consciously practice gratitude, which is something most of us could do more frequently; not just when we’re forced to go around the table and share what we’re thankful for.

I recently learned that expressing gratitude is beneficial for your health. Since this was news to me, I looked into it and found out that gratitude can help you maintain a positive outlook, improve sleep, and increase self-care habits, according to Time. Who doesn’t want more of that?

This year, take a moment to figure out how you’re going to practice gratitude beyond the bounds of Thanksgiving—mentally and physically, your body will thank you for it. Here are a few ways to get started.

Tell someone you appreciate them

It sounds simple, but it’s not something many of us (including myself) do very often. Whether it’s a co-worker, a good friend, or someone in your family, let them know how much you value their presence in your life. Point out a specific time they helped you or supported you and describe how it made you feel. I can guarantee it will make their day and bring you a sense of peace.

Keep a gratitude journal

Buy a journal, or even open a note on your phone, and make it a daily habit to record what you’re grateful for. Doing this first thing in the morning before you go to work or class can help set a positive tone for the rest of the day. You can write down anything you’re grateful for in that particular moment, but try to make it as specific as possible to get the most out of this exercise.

Cook a meal for someone you love

You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsey to make someone happy with a home-cooked meal. What counts is that you’re spending quality time together and showing this person your appreciation through the process of cooking. You can get fancy if you want, but expressing gratitude can mean so much even in its simplest form (i.e. macaroni and cheese).

Set an intention to be grateful each day

This may be the hardest habit to keep, but it can make a huge difference if you practice it regularly. Try to maintain a mindset of gratitude throughout each day, no matter who cuts you off in traffic or what kind of mess your roommate leaves in the kitchen. When faced with a situation that would normally cause stress or anger, remind yourself of all you have to be grateful for to gradually reduce those negative feelings.

Come Thanksgiving, you’re sure to be asked what you’re grateful for at least once. Instead of brushing it off, truly reflect on why you’re thankful this holiday, and consider incorporating more moments of gratitude throughout the rest of the year.

Natalie is a senior majoring in Advertising and Editing, Writing, and Media. She is currently a Social Media and Outreach Assistant for Campus Recreation Marketing.